Apparatus for flue-dust condensation.



No. 666,97a`. Patented 1an. 29, lam.

R. RUETSCHI. APPARATUS FUR FLUE DUST CNDENSATION.

(Appliation' led Aug.' 25,' 1899.)

Tn: params PETERS co.: moraLTHoJwAsnmGToN. D. q.

No. 666,978. Patented 1an. 29, |901. B. RUETSCHI.

APPARATUS FOR FLUE DUST CUNDENSATION.

. (Applieeionled Aug. 26, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

i///lI///` aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 1.

4 Sheets-- eeeee 3.

No. 666,978. Patented lan. 29, |90I.

R. BUETSCHI. APPARATUS FOR FLUE DUST GUNDENSATIN.

(Application led Aug. 25, 1899.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet '4.

gg Nomus crans co PuoToLrmo.. wAsHlNm'uN, u. c.

Tricia.

PATENT RUDOLPH RUETSCHI, OF ARGENTINE, KANSAS.

APPARATUS FOR FLUE-DUST CONDENSATION.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 666,978, dated January29, 1901.

Application led August 25,1899.Y Serial No. 728,439. TNO model.)

To all whom, t may ooi/worn:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH RUETSCHI, of Argentine, in the county ofWyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Flne-Dust Condensation, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to appliances for mechanically precipitating andcollecting the solid matter contained in the fumes emanating frommetallurgical establishments.

The object of the invention is to provide certain new and usefulimprovements in fluedust condensation to insure a rapid and thoroughseparation and precipitation of the solid matter from the gases.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations ofthe same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out inthe claims.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure l is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlargedtransverse section of one of the cooling devices, the section being onthe line 2 2 in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same withparts in section. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of theimproved apparatusWith parts in section. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section of themixing device, the section being on the line 5 5 in Fig. l. Fig. 6 is anenlarged transverse section of the cooling device on the line 6 6 inFig. t. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the main suctionand distributing-fan. Fig. 8 is an eng larged sectional side elevationof one of the cooling and precipitating devices. Fig. 9 is a plan viewof the same. Fig. l0 is a sectional side elevation of a modified form ofthe cooling and precipitating cylinder. Fig. ll is a similar view ofanother modified form of the cooling and precipitating cylinder. Fig. l2is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form ofcooling device; and Fig. .13 is a side elevation of another modifiedform of the same.

The fumes emanating from the furnace are led by means of brick orsheet-metal liues into a cooling device A (shown in detail in Figs. 2

and 6) and provided with a series of longitudinally-extending narrowchambers B, spaced apart to form air-spaces C for air to pass throughfrom the bottom in an upward direction, the air upon being heated bycoming in contact with the casings of the chambers B rising rapidly andpassing out of the top of the device. The lower ends of the severalchambers B open into hoppers D, provided at their lower ends with gatesDl and opening into a conveyer-casing E, having a suitable conveyer-beltE for carrying the solid matter to one end of the casing E to bedischarged therefrom through a suitable outlet E2. (See Fig. 4.) Theconveyer-belt passes over end pulleys E3, and the lower run thereof alsopasses oversupporting-pulleys E4,asindicated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.

The fumes in passing into the cooling device A are distributed throughthe several chambers B and are cooled therein by anexternally-circulating cooling medium in the form of atmospheric air, sothat a portion of the solid matter contained in the fumes is condensedand precipitated or caused to adhere to the walls of the chambers B.

In order to remove the matter from the walls of the chambers, I prefer aknocking device (shown in detail in Fig. 2) for causing the solid matterto fall down into the hoppers D and accumulate on the gates thereof, thegates being opened from time to time to discharge the accumulated solidmatter upon the conveyer-belt E for delivery to the discharge E2, asabove explained. The knocker referred to consists, essentially, of atransverse rod F, of which there are several for the device A, and thisrod is connected with the chambers B at or near the middle thereof, andone outer end of the rod is pivotally connected witha lever F',fulcrumed on a bracket F2, secured to the framework of the device A. Aspring F3 is secured with one end to the rod, the other end abutting onthe bracket F2, so that when a lever F is swung outward said spring ispressed, and when the operator suddenly releases the lever F then thespring suddenly forces the rod back to its former position, thus givinga sudden shock to the side walls of the chambers and causing the solidmatter adhering to the inner faces of the walls to drop down into thehoppers D.

IOC)

The inlets C for the air-spaces C are at the upper ends of the hoppersD, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 3.

The forward ends of the chambers I3 open 5 into a flue G, leading to apipe H, into which the fumes pass after they are somewhat cooled in thechambers B, and at the entrance of this pipe H is arranged a smallmixingfan I, adapted to be driven by the current of the fumes induced bythe main fan, as hereinafter more fully-descrihed. The mixingfan Iserves to mix the fumes coming from the several chambers B, so thatfumes of a higher temperature are mixed with those of a lowertemperature to equalize the temperature of the fumes as the same passthrough the pipe H. The pipe H is provided at its bottom with a numberof hoppcrs H', leading to tubes H2, having gates H2, and opening intothe conveyer-casing E, the gates H3 being normally closed, so that anysolid matter that may drop from the fumes while passing through the pipeH can accumulate on the gates until the latter are opened, and then theaccumulated solid matter is discharged upon the conveyer-belt E'. Theend of the pipe H connects with a flue G', opening into a second coolingdevice A', similar in construction to the cooling device A, abovereferred to. The chambers B of this device are connected at theirforward ends with a fine G2, opening into a pipe H4, containing amixing-fan I', similar to the fan I and for the Same purpose. Anydesired number of such cooling and mixing devices` may be alternatelyconnected with each other, and I do not limit myself to the two devicesA A' and H H4 shown in the drawings. The end of the pipe H4 connectswith a conical pipe J, containing an air-inlet K, having a suitableregulating-valve for controlling the amount of air passing into the pipeJ to form a mixture of air and fumes. The apex end of the pipe J formsthe suction-pipe for the main fan L, of any approved construction, fordrawing the fumes through the several cooling devices A A' and themixing devices H I and I'I4 I' and actuating the fans II' to compressthe fumes in the pipe J and to mix atmospheric air with the compressedfumes. The mixture thus obtained is forced through tangentialoutlet-pipes L' into cooling and precipitating cylinders N, in which theremaining solid matter is precipitated, and the exhaust -gases aredischarged by pipes P, preferably into fume-arresters O of the wellknownFreudenberg or Prinz type. The main fan L is provided at its periphery,at each pipe L', with a segmental gate 'L2, forming when closed a partot' the casing of the fan L, as shown in Fig. 7.

Each of the cooling and precipitating cylinders N is provided with anannular channel N', (see Figs. 8 and 9,) into which opens tangentiallythe corresponding pipe L', so that the mixture of fumes and airdischarged into this channel N' is free to expand and receives awhirling spiral motion in said chamber in a downward direction, tofinally pass at the lower end of the channel from the latter into thelower end of a second concentric channel N2, in which the mixture risesand passes at the upper end of this channel into a third concentricchannel N2, to pass downward therein and Iinally pass into a centralpipe N4, connected with the pipes P, previously mentioned. Theseparating-walls N8 for the several channels, the pipe N', and the outerwall for the channel N' are in the form of water-jackets, deriving theirwater-supply from a trough N9, into which opens a watersupply pipe R.The water-jacketed wall for the channel N' is provided with anoverflowpipe R', as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9. The lower ends of thetwo channels N' N2 open into a hopper N5, having outlet-ports NG fordischarging the accumulated solid matter from time to time, and asimilar hopper N7 is at the lower end of the channel N3 and the pipe N4,and this hopper connects by a pipe Q, having a gate Q' with a receptacleQ2 for receiving the solid matter accumulating in the hopper N7 anddischarged from time to time by the operator opening the gate Q'. Bygiving the mixture of air and fumes a whirling motion in the cooling andprecipitating cylinder N in the manner described and at the same timeexpanding the mixture and bringing the same in contact with the cooledwalls of the channels it is evident that a very quick precipitation ofthe solid matter takes place, the exhaust gases passing from the pipe N4to the pipes P and the arresters O for further treatment, if deemednecessary. The pipes N4 may, however, open directly into the open air.

The cooling and precipitating cylinders may be of various constructions.For instance, as shown in Fig. lO, the cylinderS is provided with acircular channel S', opening at its lower end into a central pipe S2. Ahopper S4 is adapted to receive the solid matter from the channel S' andpipe S2, and said channel S', pipe S2, and hopper S' are preferablywater-jacketed, as shown, with a waterinlet pipe R2, connected with thelower ond of the water-jacket.

The cooling and precipitating cylinder T (shownin Fig. 11) is providedwith a number of concentric channels T' T2 T3 and a central pipe T4,arranged similarly to the channels N' N2 N2 and the pipe N, abovereferred to, the channels T' T2, however, opening into a hopper T,concentric with the hopper T5 for the channel T2 and the pipe T1. Thehoppers T5 T6 connect by valved pipes T7T2 with a receptacle Q2, havinga valved outlet Q4'for discharging the solid matter from the receptacleQ2 whenever it is necessary.

The cooling and mixing devices may be differently arranged. Forinstance, as shown in Fig. 12, I provide the cooling and mixing deviceA2 with vertically-disposed chambers B' and corresponding air-spaces C2and arrange the mixing-pipes H5 in a vertical position, the mixing-fansI2 being at or near the upper ends of said pipes. The lower ends of thechambers B' and the pipes H5 open into hoppers D2, having valved outletsD3 for discharging upon the conveyer-belt, as above explained. The lastpipe H6 is connected with the conical suction-pipe J', connected withthe main fan L.

As shown in Fig. l5, the cooling and mixing device A3 has its chambersB2 likewise disposed vertically and also the pipes H7; but in this casethe mixing-fans I2 are located at or near the ends of said pipes, andthe latter and the chambers B2 open into hoppers D4, having valvedoutlets D5. The last vertical pipe H8 connects at its upper end with thesuctionpipe J2, leading to the main fan L. The operation, so far as thecooling and mixing of fumes is concerned, is exactly the same in thesedevices A2 and A3 as above described with reference to the devices A A',only that the fumes travel up and down instead of in a horizontaldirection.

The operation is as follows: When the main suction-fan L is set inmotion, then the gases or fumes emanating from the furnace are drawnalternately through the cooling devices A A and the mixing devices H H4.As the gases enter a cooling device they are divided into a number ofseparate currents and passed through the narrow chambers, thus offeringa large cooling as Well as a friction surface, the air passing upwardand between the chambers to constantly reduce the temperature of thenarrowly-confined gascurrents Very evenly. Any Hue-dust adhering to thesides of the narrow chambers B is removed from time to time by repeatedknocking of the knocker referred to, so that the flue-dust collects inthe respective hoppers below, from which it is removed from time totime, as above described. As the gases pass out of the cooling-chambersB into the mixing-pipe H they encounter the small fan I, which isagitated by the suction of the main centrifugal fan L, but which fan Iis not the full size of the pipe, and thus leaves considerable spacebetween the ends of its blades and the periphery of the pipe, so thatthe passing gases receive partly a whirling and partly a centrifugalmotion, by which action the cooler gases become mixed with the hottergases before entering the cooling-chambers B of the next followingcooling device A', in which Vthe operation described with reference tothe first cooling device is repeated. When the gases iinally pass intothe tube J by the suction action of the fan L, the gases are somewhatcompressed and mixed, cooled, and diluted by the air passing through thepipe K into the pipe J. The mixture referred to is im mediately expelledby the centrifugal force of the fan L through the tangentiallylocatedpipes L', which are somewhat narrow, and finally discharge the mixtureinto the large cooling and precipitating cylinders to allow the mixtureto expand and force it to travel in a spiral path, as described, toinsure further cooling or friction action, so that the gases are finallydischarged from the cylinders in nearly an exhausted condition.

By having a number of tangential outletpipes L' from the fan L the maincurrent is divided into a number of smaller currents of high velocity,each current entering its own cooling' and precipitating cylinder, whichoffers a large cooling and friction area in a comparatively small space.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. An apparatus for condensing flue-dust,comprising a cooling device having a series of narrow andlongitudinally-extending chambers for the passage of the fumes, saidchambers being spaced apart to form circulating air-spaces between them,a mixing device connected with the cooling device and into which passthe fumes from said cooling device for equalizing the temperature of thefumes, a suction-fan connected with said mixing device, and cooling andprecipitating cylinders each connected with a discharge-pipe leadingfrom said fan, as set forth.

2. An apparatus for condensing flue-dust, comprisinga cooling devicehaving narrow chambers for the passage of the fumes, said chambers beingspaced apart to form circulat-ing air-spaces between them, a mixingdevice connected with the cooling devices and into which pass the fumesfrom said cooling device for equalizing the temperature of the fumes, asuction-fan connected with said mixing device, cooling and precipitatingcylinders each connected with a discharge pipe leading from said fan,each cooling and precipitating device having a circular water jacketedchannel into which opens the discharge-pipe from the said fan, and awaterjacketed discharge-pipe into which opens said channel, for carryingoff the exhaust-gases, as set forth.

3. An apparatus for condensing due-dust, comprising a cooling devicehaving narrow chambers for the passage of the fumes, said chambers beingspaced apart to form circulating ai r-spaces between them, a mixingdevice connected with the cooling device and into which pass the fumesfrom said cooling device for equalizing the temperai ure of the fumes,asuction-fan connected with said mixing device, cooling andprecipitating cylinders each connected with a dischargepipe leading fromsaid fan, each cooling and precipitating device having a circularwaterjacketed channel into which opens the discharge-pipe from the saidfan, a water-jacketed dischargepipe into which opens said channel, forcarrying off the exhaust-gases, and valved discharge-hoppers forreceiving the solid matter from the said channel and IOO IIO

discharge-pipe, substantially as shown and described.

4. An apparatus for condensing flue-dust, comprising a cooling devicehaving a series of narrow and longitudinally-extending chambers for thepassage of the fumes, said chambers being spaced apart to formcirculating air-spaces between them, a mixing device connected with thecooling device and into which pass the fumes from said cooling devicefor equalizing the temperature of the fumes, a suction-fan connectedwith said mixing device, cooling and precipitating cylinders eachconnected with a discharge-pipe leading from said fan, and means,substantially as dcscribed, for collecting the solid matter in saidcooling device, said mixing device and said cooling and precipitatingcylinders, as set forth.

5. An apparatus for condensing line-dust, comprising a cooling devicehaving narrow chambers for the passage of the fumes, said chambers beingspaced apart to form circulating air-spaces between them, a mixingdevice connected with the cooling device and into which pass the fumesfrom said cooling device for equalizing the temperature of the fumes, asuction-fan connected with said mixing device, cooling and precipitatingcylinders each connected with a discharge-pipe leading from said fan,anda knocker for said cooling device, substantially as shown anddescribed.

6. A flue-dust-condensing apparatus, provided with a cooling device,comprisinga series of narrow chambers for the passage of the fumes, saidchambers having walls of heatconducting material and spaced a distanceapart, to form air-spaces between them opening into the atmosphere,hoppers into which discharge the lower ends of the chambers,

the hoppers being spaced apart to form inlets to said air-spaces, andknocking devices for said chambers, for agitating the side Walls thereofand loosening the solid matter adhering thereon, as set forth.

'7. In a flue-dust-condensing apparatus, the combination of cooling andmixing devices lconnected together, a ilue leading from the cooling andmixing devices, a fan connected with said flue for drawing the fumesthrough the cooling and mixing devices, said fan having a series oftangentially-arranged discharge-pipes, and a series of cooling andprecipitating vessels, with each of which a discharge-pipe of the fan isconnected, substantially as described.

S. In a flue-dust-condensing apparatus, the combination with cooling andmixing devices, anda fan for drawing the fumes therethrough, of acooling and condensing cylinder, into which the fan discharges, saidcylinder comprising a plurality of concentric channels communicatingwith each other alternately at the top and bottom said channels beingprovided with water-jackets, an inlet-pipe passing tangentially into theupper end of the outermost channel, and a central outlet-pipe connectedwith the innermost channel at the lower end thereof, as set forth.

9. A ilue-dust-condensing apparatus, comprising a cooling device, amixing device connected with the cooling device and comprising a fan, aflue leading from the mixing device, a fan at the end of the said fluefor drawing the fumes therethrough and mixing air therewith, thelast-named fan being provided with tangential discharge-pipes, andcooling and precipitating vessels with which the discharge-pipes of thefan are connected, substantially as described.

lO. Adue-dust-condensingapparatus,com prising a cooling device, a mixingdevice connected with the cooling device and comprising a fan, a flueleading from the mixing device, a fan at the end of the flue for drawingthe fumes therethrough, the last-named fan having a plurality oftangential dischargepipes,cooling and precipitating cylinders with whichthe discharge-pipes of the fan are connected, and arresters connectedwith the cooling and precipitating cylinders, substantially asdescribed.

1l. ln a flue-dust-condensingapparatus,the combination with a coolingdevice having a plurality of hopper-shaped Valved bottoms, and a mixingdevice having a plurality of hopper-shaped valved bottoms and connectedwith the cooling device, of a conveyer-casing arranged below the coolingand mixing devices and into which the hopper-shaped bottoms lead, saidcasing having an outlet at the end which extends beyond the coolingdevice, and a conveyor in said casing, substantially as described.

l2. Inaflue-dust-condensingapparatus,the combination with a coolingdevice, comprising a series of chambers spaced apart to form airspacesbetween them,of means connected with the side walls of the severalchambers at or near the middle thereof for simultaneously imparting asudden shock to the walls of the said chambers, substantially asdescribed.

13. Ina llue-dust-condensingapparatus,the combination with a coolingdevice, comprising a series of chambers spaced apart to form airspacesbetween them, of a rod secured to the said chambers, a lever pivoted toa support on the cooling device and to the rod, and a spring surroundingthe rod and adapted to be compressed when the rod is pulled outward bythe lever, substantially as described.

14. An apparatus for condensing flue-dust provided with a precipitatingdevice, comprising a series of narrow oblong chambers and air-spacesbetween the oblong chambers, the latter being open at the ends for thefree passage of the gases, and the air-spaces being open for the air topass through to externally cool the walls of the chambers to cause thesolid matter in the gases passing through the chambers to beprecipitated by cooling and friction,substantially as shown anddescribed.

l5. An apparatus for condensing flue-dust provided with a precipitatingdevice, coinprising a series of vertically-arranged narrow oblongchambers, and air-spaces between the oblong chambers, the latter beingopen at the ends for the free passage of the gases and the air spacesbeing" open for the air to pass through to vexternally cool the Walls ofthe chambers to cause the solid matter in the gases passing through thechambers to be precipitated by cooling and friction, and hoppers into 1owhich open the lower ends of series of the chambers, substantially asdescribed.

RUDOLPH RUETSOHI. Witnesses:

WM. MIDDLEKAUFF, JAMES D. STEWART.

